Car-Maintenence Advice

Pho3nix

Pho3nix

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Hi guys,

Going to be repairing all the broken and worn out bits of my '95 Corrola but wanted to get some feedback asto how to possibly go about it and and people that might be able to assist.

Looking to get the engine cleaned out (sent to engineering) - Need a mechanic who has done this before and won't destroy my baby. So if you guys know of anyone, please PM me.
Also want to get the steering column replaced, the car has this annoying screech when you turn the steering wheel to one side.
Bearing's - These also seem to be at the end of the life-line. Last changed about 3-4 years ago if the service manual is anything to go by.
Brakes - Want to get them changed and drained. (Should I?)
Timing Belt - Really need to get this changed (Top of my list)

Interior - The top carpet is falling near the back-seat and want to get that sorted.
Seats - Get the drivers seat possibly replaced. The reclining switch got messed/ up and the previous owner got them to solder the switch in place to prevent the seat from going back-ward's while you were driving.
Radio - For some reason the speaker system isn't working, spoke to a friend and apparently it might have something to do with the ignition switch. Want to take it to a radio expert but as I have tracker in there, a tad worried they might break something :\
Dashboard Lights - When it's dark and I need to turn on my lights, the backlight behind the gauges doesn't turn on anymore aswell (started as of late. Want to get this looked into but see Tracker point from Radio point.

Think that's it for the moment.. Price estimates guys? Great (Guys that dream of taking engines apart) mechanics in JHB North, pref around the Northcliff area.
Going to look into sending the car for detailing soon after all this other stuff is done at a cost of R2k :(
 
Pho3nix said:
Hi guys,

Going to be repairing all the broken and worn out bits of my '95 Corrola but wanted to get some feedback asto how to possibly go about it and and people that might be able to assist.

Looking to get the engine cleaned out (sent to engineering) - Need a mechanic who has done this before and won't destroy my baby. So if you guys know of anyone, please PM me. - Why do you want the engine leaned? what's wrong with it? Engine rebuild on a golf, +-R3-4k
Also want to get the steering column replaced, the car has this annoying screech when you turn the steering wheel to one side. Need to check what's causing the screech. Then check if you can find the part new, else look at your local scrapyard for a replacement part.
Bearing's - These also seem to be at the end of the life-line. Last changed about 3-4 years ago if the service manual is anything to go by. Wheel bearing? CV's? If uncertain, replace both. Phone Midas for prices, then shop around.
Brakes - Want to get them changed and drained. (Should I?) ?Replace brake pads if worn. Also look at the brake disks. Brake-fluid should be drained and replaced every 100 000km.
Timing Belt - Really need to get this changed (Top of my list) Very important to change this. If it snaps, you'll have to rebuilt the engine. This might be a bit tricky to replace if you don't know what your doing.

Interior - The top carpet is falling near the back-seat and want to get that sorted.
Seats - Get the drivers seat possibly replaced. The reclining switch got messed/ up and the previous owner got them to solder the switch in place to prevent the seat from going back-ward's while you were driving.
Radio - For some reason the speaker system isn't working, spoke to a friend and apparently it might have something to do with the ignition switch. Want to take it to a radio expert but as I have tracker in there, a tad worried they might break something :\ Sounds like loose wires or the radio not getting power. Should be easy to fix.
Dashboard Lights - When it's dark and I need to turn on my lights, the backlight behind the gauges doesn't turn on anymore aswell (started as of late. Want to get this looked into but see Tracker point from Radio point. Might just be a dead bulb. Could be interesting to replace if it's in the instrument cluster.

Think that's it for the moment.. Price estimates guys? Great (Guys that dream of taking engines apart) mechanics in JHB North, pref around the Northcliff area.
Going to look into sending the car for detailing soon after all this other stuff is done at a cost of R2k :(
Click to expand...

Google around for the stuff you want to do. Lots of How-to's on the web.
Always very satisfying fixing/servicing your own car.

If you find someone that can do roof-lining and interiors, let me know. Still on my to-do list for the golf.
 
Found a guy that can do the roof-lining in Albertsville for R150 odd, takes about an hour and will let you know about the results after I take my car next week.
 
Pho3nix said:
Found a guy that can do the roof-lining in Albertsville for R150 odd, takes about an hour and will let you know about the results after I take my car next week.
Click to expand...

Nice! Do you have to supply the new roof lining material?
 
A new power steering steering rack for a Golf Mk3 is around R30k. A refurbished one is around R5-6k. Then you need to add labour on top.

If your Corolla has power steering, replacing the steering rack won't be a cheap exercise. Get it checked first to see what exactly wrong with it.

A lot of the interior you can do yourself, and it won't be expensive.
 
spiderz said:
Nice! Do you have to supply the new roof lining material?
Click to expand...

Yeah, paid an odd R120 ontop of the R150 labour. Will try get his number if you want it.

genetic said:
A new power steering steering rack for a Golf Mk3 is around R30k. A refurbished one is around R5-6k. Then you need to add labour on top.

If your Corolla has power steering, replacing the steering rack won't be a cheap exercise. Get it checked first to see what exactly wrong with it.

A lot of the interior you can do yourself, and it won't be expensive.
Click to expand...

My old mechanic (lying, stealing bast@rd) said it was the rubber boots that were torn. Getting that checked later this week when I get the timing belt changed.
It is power-steering. Eish..thats quite a packet. Hoping it doesnt come down to that.
 
Hi Guys,

Couldn't find any other motoring maintenance forums-so hoping someone can help me.

I have a Ford Bantam 1.6i XLT and recently learned that the thermostat housing was leaking. Upon taking it to Ford today, i got a call from them to tell me that there is water in the engine and that the head would have to be taken off and sent to the engineers.

My Question is- Is it possible that a cracked/Leaking thermostat housing can deposit water into the engine? I don't want this to become a hugespend.

Any replies and help is appreciated.
J
 
@Pho3nix: Why do you need to rebuild the engine? Is the car smoking? Is there a noticeable drop in power? Cost will depend on if it's a 130 (2e), 160 (4afe) or RSi (4age).

The screech you hear when turning might be the power steering belt slipping. Replacing the entire rack is expensive.

For work on the engine maybe take it to AK Motors in Wynberg.

For electrical work maybe take it to Rivonia Car Sound in Woodmead.
 
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